How can I e-file my 1040-NR as a nonresident alien? First-time filer here

Thanks for this info! I have a W-2 from my employer and I think I might have a 1042-S form as well. Do all these specialized tax software options cost money? And do you know approximately how much? Also, my home country does have a tax treaty with the US - how exactly would I indicate that in the filing?

Most specialized nonresident tax preparation software does charge a fee, typically ranging from $30-150 depending on the complexity of your return and which forms you need. Sprintax and GlacierTax are usually in the $50-70 range for basic returns, but can go higher if you have multiple states or more complex situations. For tax treaties, the software will usually ask for your country of citizenship and residence, then guide you through applicable treaty benefits. You'll need to know which specific treaty article applies to your income type. This is typically found in Article 20 (for students) or Articles 14-16 (for various types of employment income) of most tax treaties. The software should help identify this, but it's good to review your country's tax treaty provisions beforehand on the IRS website.

Did it actually handle the e-filing of the 1040-NR or just give you guidance? I tried using TurboTax last year and got all the way to the end only to find out they wouldn't e-file my 1040-NR and I had to print and mail it anyway.

I'm curious about this too. Also, how does it handle state returns if you're a nonresident alien? I'm working in California but my visa classifies me as a nonresident for federal purposes. Would it handle both the federal 1040-NR and state returns?

It partners with electronic filing services that specifically support 1040-NR e-filing. It's not just guidance - it actually prepares your return and connects with approved e-filing partners. That's what I was most impressed with since so many mainstream options don't support nonresident e-filing. For state returns, it absolutely handles those too. I was working in New York while on an H1-B, and it prepared both my federal 1040-NR and my state return. It correctly applied my nonresident status for federal purposes while determining my resident status for state tax purposes (which can be different). The system explains the difference between federal and state residency rules, which was super helpful.

How does this actually work? Do they just keep calling the IRS for you until they get through? Sounds too good to be true considering how impossible it is to reach anyone there.

Sounds sketchy. Why would the IRS allow a third party to "skip the line" when the rest of us have to wait? I've been trying for months to get answers about my nonresident filing status and I'm pretty sure there's no magical way to get through faster.

They use an automated system that navigates the IRS phone tree and waits on hold for you. It's not skipping any lines - they're just doing the waiting part for you. When they reach an agent, they conference you in. It's similar to those shopping services that monitor websites for product restocks - just technology doing the boring waiting part. They can't guarantee a specific wait time since it depends on IRS staffing, but in my experience, it was way faster than trying myself. I had been disconnected four times after waiting 2+ hours each time. With Claimyr, I got a call back in about 25 minutes when they had an agent on the line. Definitely worth it for me when I was struggling with specific 1040-NR questions that only the IRS could answer.

Is GlacierTax user friendly? I tried some other tax software last year and got totally lost in all the technical tax terminology. I'm not a tax expert and just want something that explains things clearly for nonresidents.

GlacierTax is designed specifically for international students and scholars, so it's much more user-friendly for nonresident tax situations than general tax software. It asks questions in plain language and explains concepts that are particularly relevant to nonresidents. They have built-in explanations for terms like "substantial presence test" and clear guidance on tax treaty benefits. The interface walks you through each section step by step and flags potential issues specific to nonresident returns. Much easier than trying to adapt general tax software to fit nonresident requirements.

Good point! And if you had any US source income but are exempt from filing a full 1040-NR due to tax treaty benefits, you might still need to file Form 8843 as a standalone form. Made that mistake my first year here and had to sort it out later.

Great point about the employer withholding issue! I had a similar problem where my company's payroll system defaulted to treating me as a resident alien for withholding purposes. It took several conversations with HR and our payroll provider to get it corrected. For anyone else dealing with this, you might want to give your employer Form W-4 with "NRA" (Nonresident Alien) written at the top, or specifically request they use the nonresident alien withholding tables. The difference in withholding can be significant, and you don't want to end up owing a large amount at tax time or giving the government an interest-free loan if they withhold too much. Also seconding the travel records advice - I use a simple phone app to log my entry/exit dates automatically when I travel. Makes the substantial presence test calculation much easier when tax time comes around.